The Pittsburgh Steelers have appointed Mike McCarthy as their upcoming head coach. This decision leaves four of the NFL’s ten head coaching vacancies still open. McCarthy succeeds Mike Tomlin, who stepped down at the conclusion of the Steelers’ season. His appointment would make him only the fourth head coach for the franchise since 1969.
Prior to this move by the Steelers, the ongoing coaching changes saw the Baltimore Ravens recruit Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to take over from John Harbaugh. Minter, now the fourth head coach in Ravens history, reportedly agreed to a five-year contract with the team, as confirmed by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
The Chargers are also preparing for a new offensive coordinator, with former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel anticipated to relocate to Los Angeles. McDaniel chose not to interview for the Buffalo Bills’ head coaching role on Friday but remains a contender for the top job with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Two additional offensive coordinator positions have also been finalized, as the Kansas City Chiefs are bringing back Eric Bieniemy to the role he held from 2018 through 2022. Former Atlanta Falcons OC Zac Robinson is now joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the same capacity.
The week’s earlier coaching movements included:
Coaching staff changes from the previous weekend encompassed:
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The New York Giants and John Harbaugh finalized their agreement, reportedly a five-year deal valued at $100 million, making it one of the largest contracts in the league, according to NFL reporter Jordan Schultz. Todd Monken, the former offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to join Harbaugh’s staff.
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The Atlanta Falcons officially announced Kevin Stefanski as the team’s next head coach. The former Cleveland Browns coach takes over from Raheem Morris, becoming the Falcons’ third head coach in the last six seasons and the twentieth in franchise history.
Below is an overview of recent appointments, dismissals, and intriguing developments in the coaching landscape.
APPOINTED
John Harbaugh, New York Giants
Coaching History: 180 wins and 113 losses in regular season games, 13-11 in postseason play (featuring a Super Bowl championship), across 18 campaigns leading the Baltimore Ravens.
Reason for Appointment: Since Tom Coughlin’s departure in 2015, the Giants have experienced significant coaching instability, cycling through four permanent head coaches and two interim leaders, a situation the organization is keen to rectify. Despite being 63, Harbaugh possesses considerable energy and is expected to provide steadfast leadership to a venerable franchise that has recently endured considerable struggles. (The Giants’ 59 victories since 2015 represent the league’s second-lowest total, surpassing only the Jets). The roster offers promising talent for development, including quarterback Jaxson Dart (who could potentially collaborate effectively with Harbaugh’s favored offensive coordinator, Todd Monken), running back Cam Skattebo, wide receiver Malik Nabers, left tackle Andrew Thomas, and a defensive unit featuring defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and edge rushers Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. Furthermore, General Manager Joe Schoen, as detailed by Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, appeared prepared to delegate personnel authority to Harbaugh, despite the established organizational structure. Team owner John Mara, a prominent figure in the league, disclosed a private cancer diagnosis last September, which probably intensified the urgency to secure a head coach capable of immediately commanding authority and respect. The Giants have struggled for an extended period, but securing a coach widely considered the most desirable available instantly restores legitimacy. The focus now shifts to how swiftly they can achieve success collectively.
Kevin Stefanski, Atlanta Falcons
Coaching History: 45 regular season wins and 56 losses, 1-2 in postseason games, accumulated over six campaigns leading the Cleveland Browns.
Reason for Appointment: Stefanski was among the most sought-after candidates, with the broader NFL community evaluating his tenure with the Browns beyond mere win-loss records, recognizing his efforts to elevate a struggling team into playoff contention. Does this resonate with Atlanta’s situation? Stefanski’s offensive expertise blends various schemes and coaching philosophies, which can assist new president of football operations Matt Ryan in assessing the Falcons’ offensive talent (including Kirk Cousins, a player Stefanski previously coached in Minnesota). The team also plans to keep defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, given the substantial improvements made by the Falcons’ defense this past season. The combination of Stefanski as head coach and offensive strategist, paired with Ulbrich continuing to develop the defensive unit, appears to be a robust strategy moving forward. This holds true despite the unresolved quarterback situation and the absence of a first-round draft pick this spring, which pose considerable obstacles. Should team owner Arthur Blank demonstrate patience and allow this initiative to mature, Stefanski might conclude the Falcons’ eight-year postseason absence sooner than anticipated, particularly within a less competitive NFC South division.
Jeff Hafley, Miami Dolphins
Coaching History: This marks his inaugural head coaching role, having served as the Packers’ defensive coordinator during the 2024-25 seasons.
Reason for Appointment: The immediate link is Jon-Eric Sullivan, who became the Dolphins’ general manager on January 9th, following more than twenty years within the Packers’ organization, most recently as vice president of player personnel. Regarding the wider suitability? Reportedly, the Dolphins emerged as a less appealing destination for coaching candidates this cycle than anticipated, according to Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson, primarily due to the necessary salary cap restructuring as the team transitions away from Tua Tagovailoa. With John Harbaugh no longer available, Hafley represents the most sensible subsequent choice, potentially beneficial for both sides. Hafley brings prior head coaching experience from Boston College (2020-23), enhanced Green Bay’s defensive performance over the last two seasons, and Miami would benefit from emphasizing its defensive strength—alongside standout running back De’Von Achane and an improving offensive line—while addressing the quarterback situation, which now appears to be a multi-year undertaking. Hafley is recognized as one of the more formidable contenders in the market, and the Dolphins moved decisively to secure their optimal choice.
Robert Saleh, Tennessee Titans
Coaching History: 20 wins and 36 losses, dismissed five contests into his fourth season while with the New York Jets.
Reason for Appointment: The prevailing sentiment across the league suggests that Saleh’s struggles with the Jets were largely beyond his influence, and his defensive units have consistently performed well throughout his career. He is expected to handle defensive play-calling responsibilities in Tennessee, making the choice of offensive staff crucial for the continued growth of Cam Ward, who showed increasing promise during his rookie campaign. Ultimately, Saleh is anticipated to bring stability to a Titans organization that has seen its second general manager and now its second head coach (or third, including interim appointments) since Mike Vrabel’s dismissal after the 2023 season. The fact that Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy wasn’t hired is somewhat unexpected, given his readiness and his previous association with GM Mike Borgonzi during their time in Kansas City; however, Nagy might still be considered for an offensive staff role now that Saleh has been appointed. Regardless, Saleh embodies the kind of steadfast, composed leadership that could significantly contribute to ending Tennessee’s losing streak.
Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens
Coaching History: This represents his initial head coaching appointment; previously, he served as the Chargers’ defensive coordinator during the 2024-25 campaigns.
Reason for Appointment: While the Ravens parted ways with John Harbaugh, they opted for a successor from his coaching lineage. Minter served as a defensive assistant in Baltimore under Harbaugh for four years, from 2017 to 2020, before moving to the University of Michigan to become defensive coordinator under Harbaugh’s brother, Jim. Following a national championship victory in Ann Arbor, he accompanied Jim to the Chargers, where he oversaw a defense for the last two seasons that consistently ranked in the top-10 in DVOA, earning widespread acclaim for his unit’s adaptability and his strategic play-calling. At just 42 years old, Minter was recognized as one of the premier candidates available, particularly among those seeking a first-time head coaching role. He enters an environment with exceptionally high expectations. With Lamar Jackson being a two-time NFL MVP and the Ravens possessing elite talent comparable to any team, the sole remaining objective for this phase of the franchise is to reach and win the Super Bowl. Minter appears well-suited to achieve this goal. Baltimore is known for its adeptness in drafting and cultivating talent while being frugal with free-agent signings, making a coach like Minter, who excels at optimizing player performance, an ideal fit. Moreover, Jackson guarantees a strong offensive foundation, allowing Minter to dedicate more attention to bolstering a defense that underperformed relative to expectations last season. This represents a strategic choice—even if the franchise’s ultimate measure of success may solely be a Lombardi Trophy.
Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers
Coaching History: 174 wins, 112 losses, and 2 ties in regular season matchups; 11-11 in postseason contests, comprising five years with the Dallas Cowboys and thirteen years with the Green Bay Packers.
Reason for Appointment: Undeniably, it has been some time, but McCarthy possesses a Super Bowl championship for a compelling reason—a triumph that notably remains Aaron Rodgers’ sole Super Bowl victory in his distinguished career. McCarthy successfully reaffirmed his coaching credentials following his tenure with the Packers, guiding Dallas to postseason appearances in three out of his five seasons under owner Jerry Jones. He abstained from the previous hiring period, seemingly anticipating an ideal opportunity. Being a native of the Pittsburgh region, McCarthy is intimately familiar with the franchise’s rich history and traditions.
DISMISSED
Brian Callahan, Tennessee Titans (in season)
Brian Daboll, New York Giants (in season)
Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons
Kevin Stefanski, Cleveland Browns
Pete Carroll, Las Vegas Raiders
Jonathan Gannon, Arizona Cardinals
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens
Mike McDaniel, Miami Dolphins
Sean McDermott, Buffalo Bills
STEPPED DOWN
Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers
NFL coaching updates live feed
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Ian Casselberry
Subsequent to naming Robert Saleh as their new head coach, the Tennessee Titans are slated to meet with Dino Vasso, the Houston Texans’ defensive backs coach, to discuss their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Vasso, aged 38, has been a part of the Texans organization since 2021, advancing from cornerbacks coach to the defensive backs coaching role. His professional background also includes coaching assignments with the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
This season, Houston’s passing defense ranked fifth in the NFL, conceding 3,058 yards (an average of 183.5 per contest), and the team topped the league in overall defense.
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Ian Casselberry
The Arizona Cardinals are scheduling a follow-up interview with Anthony Weaver, the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, for their vacant head coaching role, as reported by NFL Network reports. Nevertheless, it is understood that the franchise is concentrating on three primary contenders.
Raheem Morris, previously the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, Anthony Campanile, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ DC, and Mike LaFleur, the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, are considered the front-runners for the job, according to Dianna Russini of The Athletic.
Campanile has already completed a second interview with the Cardinals, as detailed by the Arizona Republic. Furthermore, the team has held remote discussions with LaFleur, Klint Kubiak (Seattle Seahawks OC), Chris Shula (Rams DC), and Vance Joseph (Broncos DC).
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Ian Casselberry
On Saturday, the Buffalo Bills declared they concluded an interview with Anthony Lynn regarding their head coaching vacancy.
Lynn, 57, has served as the run game coordinator and running backs coach for the Washington Commanders over the last two years. He led the then-San Diego Chargers as head coach for four years, from 2017 to 2020.
Furthermore, Lynn took on the role of interim head coach for a single game with the Bills after Rex Ryan’s dismissal during the 2020 season. During his two years in Buffalo, he functioned as an assistant head coach and running backs coach, and also held the title of interim offensive coordinator.
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Yahoo Sports Staff
Bobby Slowik, the Miami Dolphins’ senior passing game coordinator, is set to become the team’s offensive coordinator under the leadership of newly appointed coach Jeff Hafley, as reported by ESPN.
Slowik had also engaged in discussions with the Philadelphia Eagles concerning their offensive coordinator opening.
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Andy Backstrom
Klay Kubiak, the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive coordinator, has withdrawn his name from consideration for head coaching positions and will remain with the San Francisco team, as per The Athletic.
Kubiak has been part of the 49ers organization since the 2021 season. His ascent through the team’s coaching ranks began as a defensive quality control coach. Subsequently, he functioned as the assistant quarterbacks coach from 2022 to 2023, a period that included the Niners’ selection of Brock Purdy. In 2024, Kubiak held the role of San Francisco’s offensive passing game specialist.
Prior to the current season, he was promoted to offensive coordinator, and despite facing numerous injuries, the Niners concluded the season with an average of 25.7 points per game, placing them 10th in the NFL.
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Andy Backstrom
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly close to finalizing an agreement to bring in Mike McCarthy, who previously coached the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, as their new head coach, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
McCarthy, 62 years old, hails from Pittsburgh. Over his 18 seasons as a head coach, he has led his teams to the playoffs 12 times. Within that timeframe, he achieved a record of 174 wins, 112 losses, and 2 ties. He secured a Super Bowl title during his coaching stint with the Packers.
Aaron Rodgers was his quarterback at the time. Although the Steelers are not hiring McCarthy specifically to persuade Rodgers to return for another season in Pittsburgh, as Pelissero notes, McCarthy’s appointment might nonetheless appeal to the four-time NFL MVP.
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Tarohn Finley
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins conducted an interview with Clint Hurtt, the Eagles’ defensive line coach, for their defensive coordinator vacancy.
During his two most recent seasons with the Eagles, Hurtt was instrumental in nurturing talents like Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis. Prior to his role with the Philadelphia Eagles, he held the position of defensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks.
The 47-year-old coach’s resume also includes coaching stints with the Chicago Bears, Louisville, the University of Miami, and FIU. Hurtt played as a defensive tackle for the Miami Hurricanes.
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Sean Leahy
Martindale, aged 62, has directed Michigan’s defensive unit for the last two seasons. His prior experience includes serving as the Giants’ defensive coordinator for two years and working with the Ravens’ linebackers and defense from 2012 to 2021.
Steve Wilks, initially brought on by the Jets as part of Aaron Glenn’s coaching staff, was dismissed after Week 15.
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Sean Leahy
Weaver has occupied the defensive coordinator role for the Dolphins for the last two campaigns. He has also attracted attention from both the Bills and Steelers for their respective head coaching opportunities.
Furthermore, Weaver was considered for the Ravens’ position before Jesse Minter’s appointment.
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Sean Leahy
McDaniel was slated to convene with Bills executives on Friday, following his scheduled interview for the Browns’ head coaching role a day earlier.
Should McDaniel not secure the Las Vegas Raiders position, he is expected to assume the role of offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh with the Charg
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Andy Backstrom
The Miami Dolphins presented Jeff Hafley as their new head coach, who is now in the process of assembling his coaching team.
The Dolphins are enlisting Chris Tabor, formerly the special teams coordinator for the Buffalo Bills, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
It’s worth noting that Tabor served as the Cleveland Browns’ ST coordinator from 2011 to 2017, during which Hafley was the Browns’ defensive backs coach from 2014 to 2015.
Additionally, in other Dolphins-related news, General Manager Jon-Eric Sullivan is appointing Kyle Smith as his assistant GM, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Smith previously held this exact role with the Atlanta Falcons.
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Sean Leahy
The ex-quarterback for the Chargers and Colts might transition into an NFL coaching role after his brief return late in the regular season.
As per NFL records, merely four athletes in history have moved directly from playing one season to a head coaching position the subsequent year: Norm Van Brocklin, Walt Kiesling, Ray Flaherty, and Red Weaver.
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Tarohn Finley
The Falcons conducted an interview with Ian Cunningham, the Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager, for their general manager role, as confirmed by the team.
Cunningham has been with the Bears for the past four seasons and also has experience in the front offices of the Eagles and Ravens. Matt Ryan, the Falcons’ former quarterback and recently appointed president of football operations, played at Boston College alongside Bears general manager Ryan Poles, under whom Cunningham served in Chicago.
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Tarohn Finley
The Tennessee Titans are scheduled to interview Al Harris, the Chicago Bears’ defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, for their defensive coordinator vacancy, as reported by NFL insider Josina Anderson.
Harris contributed to the Bears’ defensive unit topping the NFL with 22 takeaways during the regular season. Bears safety Kevin Byard was the league leader with seven interceptions, and Bears cornerback Nashon Wright excelled under Harris, recording five interceptions.
Prior to joining the Bears, Harris coached for the Cowboys, FAU, Chiefs, and Dolphins. He also had a 14-season playing career in the NFL.
Additionally, the Titans have requested an interview with Aaron Whitecotton, the Cowboys’ defensive line coach, for their defensive coordinator position. The Titans recently appointed Robert Saleh, formerly the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, as their new head coach.
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Sean Leahy
Bieniemy, aged 56, previously held roles as the Chiefs’ running backs coach and subsequently their offensive coordinator from 2013 to 2022. He served as the offensive coordinator at UCLA during the interval between his tenures with the Commanders (as OC) and Bears (as running backs coach).
Bieniemy was a member of the Chiefs’ championship-winning squads in Super Bowls LIV and LVII.
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Tarohn Finley
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Tennessee Titans reportedly discussed their offensive coordinator position with Arthur Smith, who currently serves as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive coordinator.
Smith accumulated 10 seasons coaching the Titans in various capacities, concluding his tenure there as offensive coordinator for his final two years with the team.
Smith spent the two most recent seasons as the Steelers’ offensive coordinator. He previously held the head coaching role for the Atlanta Falcons, where he achieved a 21-30 record over three campaigns.
The Titans recently appointed Robert Saleh, formerly the San Francisco 49ers’ defensive coordinator, as their head coach.
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Tarohn Finley
The Philadelphia Eagles conducted an interview with Bobby Slowik, the Dolphins’ senior passing game coordinator, for their offensive coordinator vacancy, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Prior to his time with the Dolphins, Slowik functioned as the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans for a period of two seasons. Slowik also dedicated eight years to coaching under 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan, both in Washington and San Francisco.
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Tarohn Finley
According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, John Harbaugh, the Giants’ new head coach, intends to keep only two members from former head coach Brian Daboll’s staff.
The Giants are expected to retain outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen and tight ends coach Tim Kelly. Offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo is reportedly not projected to join the Giants’ updated coaching team.
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Tarohn Finley
The Tennessee Titans requested to interview Aaron Whitecotton, the Cowboys’ defensive line coach, for their defensive coordinator position, as per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Even though the team traded Micah Parsons before the season commenced, Whitecotton’s defensive line unit consistently ranked high in quarterback hits.
Aaron Whitecotton served as an an assistant defensive line coach for the 49ers in 2020, during Robert Saleh’s tenure as defensive coordinator. Subsequently, he spent four seasons alongside Saleh with the New York Jets before his move to the Cowboys in the preceding season.
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Kate Magdziuk
The Commanders have conducted an interview with Teryl Austin, the Steelers’ defensive coordinator, for their vacant defensive coordinator position, as reported by Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic on Friday.
Austin has been a part of the Steelers organization since 2019, spending three years as a senior defensive assistant and secondary coach before his promotion to defensive coordinator in 2022. He held this role for the entirety of the last four seasons under previous head coach Mike Tomlin.
Austin possesses nine cumulative seasons of experience as a defensive coordinator, encompassing four years with the Detroit Lions and one with the Cincinnati Bengals. While his defenses have placed in the 44th and 58th percentiles for yards and points allowed, respectively, according to Pro Football Reference, his units have consistently ranked among the league’s top eight in takeaways in five out of nine seasons.
